Company:Thorens
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| Type | AG |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Headquarters | Giebenach, Switzerland |
Key people | Heinz Rohrer, CEO |
| Products | Hi-fi equipment |
| Revenue | unknown |
| Website | www.thorens.com |
Thorens is a Swiss manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. They are historically renowned for the range of phonographs (turntables) they produce. In addition to audio playback equipment, they are also a historical producer of harmonicas and cigarette lighters, most notably the button actuated "automatic lighter".
History
In 1883, the Thorens family business was first registered in Sainte-Croix (Ste-Croix), Vaud, Switzerland by Hermann Thorens. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements (which they were still producing in the 1950s), they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.
In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even today, regarded as high-end audio equipment, and are much sought-after. As of 2006, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.
See also
- List of phonograph manufacturers
External links
- Official website
- The History of Thorens and free manuals to download
- The Thorens 'Excelda' portable gramophone: 360° rotatable view of a machine held at the British Library
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